The three witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth whipped up a stew of sorts by adding to their cauldron such things as "eye of newt and toe of frog, wool of bat and tongue of dog." Then they metaphorically served it up to Macbeth, who promptly hallucinated and saw three apparitions.
Now, you don't want to do that to your family or guests, do you?
So take a cooking course.
The number of courses offered by both the privately run cooking schools and the cooking institutions in and around Metro is staggering. You can learn anything from how to boil water to how to stuff milkweed pods. And today The Star gives you a comprehensive guide to the schools, starting below.
The list of private cooking schools has 52 categories covering everything from appetizers to wine. As well, there is a separate list of courses offered by institutions, school boards and parks and recreation departments this fall and winter.
The variety is staggering, too. George Brown College has a course called The Edible Wild, which proves that goldenrod pancakes are nothing to sneeze at. Pierre de Serre, the inventor of the incredible Smart Pot controlled cooker, will teach you not only how to make use of the ingenious device but also the science of controlling textures in meat (447-7878). David Brown of Meat Consultants International will show you how to buy, prepare and save money on meat purchases at both the North York (229-5507)
and East York (425-9435) boards of education. And, if you hurry, you may get the chance to see how the famous Madeleine Kamman prepares meat when she comes to Bonnie Stern's School of Cooking in November. You can choose courses held during the day or at night, or which last one day or 20 weeks. Gunther Schubert, a chef who has presided over such restaurants as Glossops, La Bodega and 21 McGill, has a cooking course at which you and several others spend a weekend at his country home, cooking up a storm with the master (489-6908). Seneca College will teach you how to avoid the most painful of all possible strikes with its homebrew instruction. And there's even a cooking course for new Canadians called Cook, Talk And Eat at Central Technical School, introducing immigrants to the food and customs of Canada in the best possible way - through the stomach. Adder's fork and blind woman's sting Lizard's leg and howlet's wing If you take a course below A better cook you'll surely grow. (With apologies to W. Shakespeare) Courses abound for aspiring cooks The following is a list, by category, of privately run cooking classes in and around Metro: Appetizers/hors d'oeuvres
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859.
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647.
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810.
Calories Fine Food, 177 Glencairn Ave. 484-0667.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325.
Margie's School of Cooking, 210 Gloucester Ave., Oakville. 845-2302.
The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 936-2660. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Baking
Bosch Baking School, 400 Matheson Blvd., Unit 22, Mississauga. 890-2900.
Calories Fine Food, 177 Glencairn Ave. 484-0667.
Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325.
McCall's School of Cake Decoration, 3810 Bloor St. W. 231-8040.
Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. Temi's School of Cooking, 17 Humewood Gardens. 651-8868. Barbecue
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056. Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409. Basics
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859.
Centennial College, Warden Woods Campus (Warden and St. Clair). 299-1700.
Gunther Schubert, chef de cuisine. 489-6908. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 627-4933. Breadmaking
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859.
City of North York, Parks and Recreation Dept., 1700 Finch Ave. E. 224-6269.
Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409.
Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143. The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660. Brunch
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810. Jo Cackers Cooking School, 573 Eglinton Ave. W. 485-2110. Cajun/Creole cooking
Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143.
The Pampered Palate, 38 Metcalfe St. 928-9248. The Southern & Cajun Kitchen, 524 Bathurst St. 781-2564 or 961-2260. Cake decorating
Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409.
McCall's School of Cake Decoration, 3810 Bloor St. W. 231-8040.
Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143.
Susie Cotton, 66 Babcombe Dr., Thornhill. 881-0538.
The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660.
The Kitchen Door Ltd., 69 Main St., Markham. 294-0676. Trim A Cake, 2692 Danforth Ave. 690-7653. Californian cuisine Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810. Candy making The Kitchen Door Ltd., 69 Main St., Markham. 294-0676. Chicken Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647. Chinese
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647.
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810.
City of North York, Parks and Recreation Dept., 1700 Finch Ave. E. 224-6249.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Mary's Delight, 2094 Brimley Rd., Unit 4. 299-8889.
Syl's International Cooking, 128 Albany Ave. 532-8167. The Chinese Cookery Ltd. (Marina Loo), 332 McKee Ave. 223-1708. Chocolate
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810.
Calories Fine Food, 177 Glencairn Ave. 484-0667.
McCall's School of Cake Decoration, 3810 Bloor St. W. 231-8040. Trim A Cake, 2692 Danforth Ave. 690-7653. Christmas and Holiday Cooking
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859.
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Grace Meyers Cooking School, 220 Cornwallis Court, Oshawa. 1-723-8046.
Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409.
Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111.
The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660.
The Kitchen Door Ltd., 69 Main St., Markham. 294-0676. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Cooking techniques Smart Pot Cookery (Pierre de Serre), Bob Rumball School for the Deaf, 2395 Bayview Ave. 447-7878. Croissant
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056. McCall's School of Cake Decoration, 3810 Bloor St. W. 231-8040. Desserts
Bosch Baking and Dehydration School, 400 Matheson Blvd., Unit 22, Mississauga. 273-9600.
Calories Fine Food, 177 Glencairn Ave. 484-0667.
Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325.
Margie's School of Cooking, 210 Gloucester Ave., Oakville. 845-2302. Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. Diabetic meals Canadian Diabetes Association, 562 Eglinton Ave. E., Suite 313. 488-8871. Diet and nutrition Kathleen's Cooking and Nutrition Centre, several Metro locations. 925-2474. Dim Sum Mary's Delight, 2094 Brimley Rd., Unit 4. 299-8889. East Indian Syl's International Cooking, 128 Albany Ave. 532-8167. Entertainment menus
Janet Cornwall School of Cooking, 340 Carey Court, Oakville. 842-0178.
Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325.
Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409.
Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143.
Party Perfect, 313 Glenayr Rd. and 30 Dunlace Dr., Willowdale. 485-9768 or 449-7717.
Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111.
The Blue Danube Cooking School, 1340 Oak Lane, Mississauga. 274-5521.
The Kitchen Door Ltd., 69 Main St., Markham. 294-0676. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Fall entertaining menus Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325. Fish cookery
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859. Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810. Food processor
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647.
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810.
City of North York, Parks and Recreation Dept., 1700 Finch Ave. E., and at 7 Edithvale Dr. 224-6269.
Empire Cooking School, 29 Division St., Colborne. 1-355-2389.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143.
The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham, 1-936-2660. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. French
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Margie's School of Cooking, 210 Gloucester Ave., Oakville. 845-2302.
The Courthouse School of French Cooking, Hwy. 93, 1 mile north of Hwy 400, Hillsdale. 1-705-835-3815. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Garnishing Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409. Gifts from the kitchen
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647. The Pampered Palate, 38 Metcalfe St. 928-9248. Gourmet
Centennial College, Warden Woods Campus (Warden and St. Clair). 299-1700.
Cooking Courses With Maria Pace, 247 Niagara St. 861-1679.
City of North York, Parks and Recreation Dept., Bayview Arena, 3230 Bayview Ave. 224-6269.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Gunther Shubert, chef de cuisine. 489-6908.
Jo Cackers Cooking School, 573 Eglinton Ave. W. 485-2110.
Temi's School of Cooking, 17 Humewood Gardens. 651-8868. The Kitchen Door Ltd., 69 Main St., Markham. 294-0676. Herb cookery Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143. Hors d'oeuvres Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647. International
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859.
Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Italian cuisine
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810.
Cooking Courses With Maria Pace, 247 Niagara St. 861-1679.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Janet Cornwall School of Cooking, 340 Carey Court, Oakville. 842-0178. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Preserves Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. Japanese cooking The Bento Box, 217 Beverley St., Unit 2. 532-6306. Kids only Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. Light cooking
Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810. Margie's School of Cooking, 210 Gloucester Ave., Oakville. 845-2302. Meatless meals
City of North York, Parks and Recreation Dept., 1700 Finch Ave. E.; 7 Edithvale Dr. and 1700 Finch Ave. E. 224-6269. Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. Mediterranean cuisine Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143. Men only Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. Microwave cooking
Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859.
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647.
City of North York, Parks and Recreation Dept., Edithvale Community Centre, 7 Edithvale Dr. 224-6269.
Empire Cooking School, 29 Division St., Colborne. 1-355-2389.
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056.
Fran's Microwave, 273 Weldrick Rd., Richmond Hill. 883-5406.
Grace Meyers Cooking School, 220 Cornwallis Court, Oshawa. 1-723-8046.
Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409.
Nutcracker Sweet, 3015 Winston Churchill Blvd., Mississauga. 828-1143.
Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111.
The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660.
The Kitchen Door Ltd., 69 Main St., Markham. 294-0676. The Microwave Place, Cloverdale Mall, Islington and Store Rd. Mall, Guelph. 1-519-793-8918. Pasta making
Bosch Baking School, 400 Matheson Blvd., Unit 22, Mississauga. 890-2900.
Cooking Courses With Maria Pace, 247 Niagara St. 861-1679. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Pastry
Cooking Courses With Maria Pace, 247 Niagara St. 861-1679.
Kitchen Capers, 5 Tate Court, Sharon. 1-478-2409.
Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660. Quick meals
Jo Cackers Cooking School, 573 Eglinton Ave. W. 485-2110. The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660. Sausage making Bosch Baking School, 400 Matheson Blvd., Unit 22, Mississauga. 890-2900. Seafood Academy of Culinary Arts, 1703 Bayview Ave. 486-1859. Souffles Cooking Courses With Maria Pace, 247 Niagara St. 861-1679. Soup and sandwiches
Birthe Maries Cooking School, 88 Hillside Dr., Bramalea. 453-6647.
Jo Cackers Cooking School, 573 Eglinton Ave. W. 485-2110. The Farmhouse Kitchen, RR4, Tottenham. 1-936-2660. Spring entertaining menus Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325. Summer entertaining menus
Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325. The School of Classic Cooking, 21 Mercer St., Dundas. 1-627-4933. Teenagers' cooking courses
Faith Robinson's School of Cooking, 38 Senator Reesor's Dr., Markham. 294-0056. Jan Main's Kitchen, 295 Kingswood Rd. 691-1325. Vegetarian cooking Simpson's Creative Touch Cooking School, Fairview Park Mall, Kitchener. 1-519-894-1111. West Indian Syl's International Cooking, 128 Albany Ave. 532-8167. Wine Bonnie Stern School of Cooking, 6 Erskine Ave. 484-4810. Vintage House, Raclette's Wine Bar (Andrew Sharp), 361 Queen St. W. 429-6523. Public cooking courses range all the way from soup to nuts
School boards, parks and recreation departments, community colleges and technical schools all have cooking courses in the Metro area. The sheer number makes it impossible to list by category, but below is a quick breakdown of the various courses offered by each. Call the appropriate telephone numbers for more information.
Toronto high schools: Many Toronto high schools offer night courses in cooking. To find out which courses the high school nearest your home is offering, simply drop into the school and pick up a brochure. As an example, here is what Central Tech is offering this fall, beginning Sept. 30 (the winter courses start Jan. 6):
Baking, basics, cake decorating, Caribbean cooking, Chinese cuisine, food processor, gourmet cooking, international cuisine, jams, jellies, pickles and preserves, nutritional meals, pasta, vegetarian cooking.
Etobicoke Board of Education, Continuing Education Division (626-4360): Most courses begin the week of Sept. 30. Chinese, company casseroles, food processor, for guests, for Christmas, French, gour-met, hors d'oeuvres, international, luncheon club, microwave, no-bake sweets, pasta making, plain and simple, soups and stews, vegetables, West Indian.
Etobicoke Parks and Recreation Services (626-4557): Barbecues, breadmaking, brunches, cake decorating, candy making, canning, cheesecakes, children's classes, Chinese cookery, Christmas treats, coffee tasting and blending, crepes, desserts, finger food, fish sauces and dishes, food processor, food sculpturing, fun with food, gingerbread house, gourmet-on-the-go), hors d'oeuvres, Italian, Japanese, leftovers (turkey), liqueur making, microwave, muffins, pasta, pastries, pickling, pressure cooking, quiches, souffls and omelettes, soups and casseroles, stews, tea, tots' tidbits, Ukrainian cooking.
George Brown College, Kensington Campus (967-1212, ext. 4290): Baking (basic, advanced, junior gourmet), bartending, breadmaking (with advanced professional courses), cake decoration, Chinese cuisine (Cantonese and dim sum), edible wild plants, meat cutting (and a professional meat-cutting course), pastry, vegetarian cooking, wines and spirits.
Humber College, Continuing Education Division (675-3111): Fall courses start in October. Included are garnishes (the art of vegetable carving), hors d'oeuvres ("It doesn't have to be caviar"), pat making, souffls made easy.
Network For Living (967-7640, ext. 29): This organization was established in 1977 and claims to be the largest independent educational institution in Canada. It offers courses in home beer making, basic cooking, cake decorating, chocolate, food processor, home bartending, an international winetasting tour, Japanese cooking, Northern Italian cooking, party foods, pasta, sushi, vegetarian cooking, wok cooking.
Scarborough Board of Education (439-9782): Register before Sept. 20. All courses can be classified under the gourmet heading but they are broken down into subsections, such as beginners' course, party sandwiches and finger foods, back to granny's kitchen and French classical. Three courses called simply Gourmet Cooking range in length from 10 to 20 weeks. Seneca College, 1750 Finch Ave. E. (491-5050): Bartending workshop, Chinese gourmet cooking for beginners, homebrew, introduction to good cooking, nouvelle cuisine, vegetarian cooking, wines of the world.